Dianne Drew Butler Law & Associates Inc.

Your first parent-teacher conference after separation or divorce can be unsettling. The event may bring back memories of happier times, and the excitement of raising young children together. It may be an unwelcome reminder that your family is no longer intact, and that your life hasn’t gone the way you expected. If you and your former spouse are so volatile that you have a hard time being in the same room, ask the teacher if you can have separate conferences. Some schools will not accommodate your request, however, so you will need to make the most of possibly attending with your former spouse. Here are five tips to make your first parent-teacher conference after divorce a success. Keep the focus on your child . The conference can heighten insecurities: What has the teacher heard about me? Why are all the other parents married? My ex’s new partner has no business being here! None of these concerns should occupy space in your head during the next half hour. I

There’s nothing like the holidays to make a newly divorced or separated person feel disconnected and lonely. Everywhere you turn, you’re reminded of your new status. Your friends are spending Thanksgiving “just with family.” Holiday cards featuring perfect-looking parents and children appear in your mailbox and your Facebook newsfeed is overflowing with happy, smiling couples and families. You watch a commercial for “It’s A Wonderful Life” and burst into tears. You may feel alone in this but in reality, you’re far from it! According to the 2017 U.S. Census report, 110.6 million American adults aged 18 and older are single. That’s a whopping 42.5% of the population. So give yourself an early holiday gift and let go of your self-consciousness. Instead, start thinking of ways to make the most out of this holiday season. Here are some suggestions to get you started. Stay busy . Unstructured time is the enemy of the newly divorced person especially if your kids are spending the holi